Right Here, Right Now - Covelong, Tamil Nadu

This weekend, people in and around Chennai can head to Covelong Point for a surfing festival.

The Covelong Point Social Surfing School in association with the Surfing Federation of India is hosting a national level surfing competition and surf festival at Covelong Point (Tamil Nadu) from September 27th – September 29th 2013. The festival will also feature a host of bands and live music like Chennai alt-rock act Skrat, Chennai techno DJ Shiva Moon, Tanjore Folk-fusion artist Anthony Dassan, Australian singer/songwriters Edo and Jo, Carnatic singer Mahesh Vinayakram, Bangalore comedy-rock act Live Banned and Mumbai DJ Trey.

The event will be hosted by Covelong Point Social Surfing School, which was founded by Murthy Megavan – a fisherman from Covelong Village – along with Arun Vasu of TT Logistics and Yotam Agam of EarthSync World Music Record Label. In 2004, Murthy lost both his boat and his livelihood to the tsunami that hit his village, and soon after became a social worker to try to help others who had suffered similar plights. Since then, Arun Vasu has been a strong supporter of both Murthy and Covelong village, contributing to various social projects and initiatives in the village. “There are quite a few issues that demand immediate attention in Covelong – namely ocean and beach sanitation, education for the local children, and keeping the local youth away from drugs/alcohol – we’re hoping to spread awareness of these issues to the general public”, says Arun.

After a chance encounter with Yotam – who gave Murthy a green surf board and taught him how to surf – Murthy soon went on to realize his dream of founding his very own surf school. “I never expected such things were to happen when I first started surfing”, says Murthy, “If everyone truly believes in something good, it will happen.” Murthy now runs the surf school as a way to keep the local youth away from alcohol/drug abuse, and to spread awareness about issues including beach sanitation. The Covelong Point Classic Surf Contest – organized by TT Logistics, SFI (Surf Federation of India), EarthSync, and Murthy’s surf school, in association with Skore and Super Sale India - will play host to renowned surfers of different age groups from all across India and the world. Over the course of three days, participants will compete in a variety of different categories, and judges will include Erwin Johannes Van Putten – a surfer and certified ISA judge from Holland; Tom Anthony Fekete – a surfer and certified ISA judge from California; and Jamo Borthwick – director of Walking on Water in the Gold Coast, Australia. Introductory surf workshops and lessons will also be offered to interested candidates. “We’re hoping the surf contest will call attention to some of the pressing social issues that the village of Covelong is currently facing”, says Yotam.

Agam of EarthSync, “we’re using surfing as a way to change the world”.

The Covelong Point Surf Contest will also have a skate ramp setup by the Holystoked team from Bangalore.

The Covelong Point Social Surfing School located in the little coastal village of Covelong approximately 40 kilometres from Chennai. Covelong Point is a popular surfing and water sport destination on the East Coast Road. A documentary film on Murthy and the school – titled Covelong Point – was filmed by EarthSync World Music Record Label, and is slated for release shortly.